I created an account to the "free" version using a fake Facebook account (I did it over VPN) and can now choose whatever songs I want, essentially, and stream them to my computer via their free version (once an a while a commercial plays between songs). It only cares that you are in the USA, although my VPN took care of that.

I have found that, simply logging-in to Spotify once with my VPN works, and then I can turn off the VPN. As long as I keep Spotify open in the background, it seems to play fine -- VPN or not after that.

I'm guessing one might be able to use the free Hotspotshield VPN too?

I really love Spotify, and they seem to have about every online song under the sun from the USA.

I created an account to the "free" version using a fake Facebook account (I did it over VPN) and can now choose whatever songs I want, essentially, and stream them to my computer via their free version (once an a while a commercial plays between songs). It only cares that you are in the USA, although my VPN took care of that.

I have found that, simply logging-in to Spotify once with my VPN works, and then I can turn off the VPN. As long as I keep Spotify open in the background, it seems to play fine -- VPN or not after that.

I'm guessing one might be able to use the free Hotspotshield VPN too?

I really love Spotify, and they seem to have about every online song under the sun from the USA.

This is going to absolutely kill I-tunes.

What's your definition of "kill" iTunes?

As long as Spotify doesn't affect Apple's hardware sales, they don't really care. Apple only sells songs, movies, apps, etc. in order to keep their ecosystem together, they make the most profit from selling hardware.

Apple wouldn't be too crushed to have to scale down their music business as long as their hardware sales aren't impacted.

The real question is, will Spotify kill artists? The answer is that the vast majority of artists will never make the kind of money that was available 20 years ago. Only super-super-superstars will make millions, the rest are f'ed.

I created an account to the "free" version using a fake Facebook account (I did it over VPN) and can now choose whatever songs I want, essentially, and stream them to my computer via their free version (once an a while a commercial plays between songs).

The free version only lasts for six months though after that you're restricted to 2.5 hours a week, 10 hours a month.

Do you plan on creating another free subscription at that point or pay?

I created an account to the "free" version using a fake Facebook account (I did it over VPN) and can now choose whatever songs I want, essentially, and stream them to my computer via their free version (once an a while a commercial plays between songs).

The free version only lasts for six months though after that you're restricted to 2.5 hours a week, 10 hours a month.

Do you plan on creating another free subscription at that point or pay?

Making a new (fake) acc every 6months doesn't seem too bad.
How much does it cost if you choose to pay?

Quote:

The real question is, will Spotify kill artists? The answer is that the vast majority of artists will never make the kind of money that was available 20 years ago. Only super-super-superstars will make millions, the rest are f'ed.

There will always be people making music. I always felt musicians making 10s of millions of dollars was somewhat obscene. While the golden days of making money are over, there will still be ways for them to cash in. More tours and live gigs, and the superstars will always be able to monetise their fame...Britney got $15m for being on X-Factor..and she hasn't had a hit since forever.

I created an account to the "free" version using a fake Facebook account (I did it over VPN) and can now choose whatever songs I want, essentially, and stream them to my computer via their free version (once an a while a commercial plays between songs).

The free version only lasts for six months though after that you're restricted to 2.5 hours a week, 10 hours a month.

Do you plan on creating another free subscription at that point or pay?

I do not listen often enough to reach that limit. Besides, any new FB account will do, if needed.

There will always be people making music. I always felt musicians making 10s of millions of dollars was somewhat obscene. While the golden days of making money are over, there will still be ways for them to cash in. More tours and live gigs, and the superstars will always be able to monetise their fame...Britney got $15m for being on X-Factor..and she hasn't had a hit since forever.